Whisky can be spelt in two ways – Whisky (without an ‘e’) if the product is from Scotland or Whiskey (with an ‘e’) if the product is from Ireland.
Regardless of origin, the whisky category is the largest spirits category in New Zealand and is made up of several different types of whisky – including scotch, blended, single malts, Irish and Canadian. Lion Nathan New Zealand has a very strong portfolio of whisky brands across all of these groups.
Bells
Bell’s is a blend of some 35 mature malt and grain whiskies from the Highlands, Islands and Lowlands of Scotland, including the Blair Athol malt, which are brought together to create an outstanding Scotch whisky blend. The result is a well-rounded and consistent character with a distinctive nutty and spicy flavour that makes Bell’s truly `Extra Special’.
Every whisky in the blend, both malt and grain, combines to ensure that Bell’s Extra Special remains wonderfully rounded and smooth.
Bushmills
Bushmills is the world’s oldest Irish whiskey and comes from the oldest distillery in Ireland. It’s not because the distillery is old that the whiskey is good… it’s because the whiskey is good that the distillery is old!
Bushmills is a true Irish whiskey – made at the same place, under the same roof for 400 years. Generations of distillers have truly crafted and nurtured the brand since 1608. Bushmills is smooth because it is triple-distilled with no peat. The malt at the heart of the blend gives richness and a sweet honeyed taste. The Bushmills portfolio also includes Bushmills 10-Year-Old Malt and Bushmills Black Bush.
Caol Ila
Caol Ila’s distillery is situated on the shores of the Sound, a spot originally chosen in 1846 because of the clean water from Loch Nam Ban – which still provides its main supply today.
When you sip this tempting, easy-drinking malt at first you’d know you were in Islay – but you might not know where. Well-known whisky writer, Michael Jackson, pinpoints the smooth, olive-like house style, calling Caol Ila “a wonderful aperitif.”
Sniff the air over a glass and smoky, sea-fresh aromas recall an age, not so long ago, when fishing and cutting peat were the traditional occupations in these parts. Few men make a living cutting peat on the island today, but the old traditions live on in the skills of our distillery workers and in the ingredients they still use at Caol Ila.
“Caol Ila has remained undiscovered by many. However, its deserving rise in popularity saw the release of three new age statements in June 2002. This malt is a fantastically balanced Islay with wheat beer/cloves and wet grass/light salt fish subtleties.”
David Broom, whisky writer and expert.
Clan MacGregor
Clan MacGregor, one of the world’s fastest growing major Scotch whisky brands, is enjoyed in over 60 countries around the world – from the USA to Venezuela, the Middle East and Thailand. It is a reassuringly high quality yet affordable Scotch whisky, proudly carrying the Clan MacGregor badge and motto and, with his kind permission, the personal crest of the 24th Clan Chief Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor. The Clan badge, a crowned Lion’s head on a wreath encircled with a belt and buckle, signifies the unity and loyalty of the Clan. By using their badge on both bottle and label, Clan MacGregor Scotch Whisky honours the heritage of this strong ancient Clan. Clan MacGregor is skilfully blended from a selection of Scotland’s finest malt and grain whiskies.
Clynelish
Distilleries here on the stormy sea coast of Sutherland were forever few and far between, yet malt whisky enthusiasts have always championed Clynelish over many more famous names.
When the original distillery was built in 1819 by the future Duke of Sutherland, the quality of Clynelish whisky was so prized that only private customers were supplied.
Over the years, Clynelish has continued to be held in high regard by experts. The great Victorian, Professor George Saintsbury, selected it as a favourite and today’s malt whisky gurus consistently praise its unique combination of North Highland and maritime qualities.
You can almost taste the sea air in Clynelish, with its crisp, medium-bodied, mustard-fresh style. Although there isn’t an Islay’s pungent smokiness here, there is a trace or two of it. Don’t think that this is a heavy malt however – its clean taste makes it a fine aperitif but it can also be enjoyed much later in the evening, such is its versatility.
Crown Royal
In 1939, Seagram Canada’s Samuel Bronfman created a new commemorative whisky blend, Crown Royal, in honour of a visit from Queen Elizabeth and King George VI – produced in a crown-shaped bottle and dressed in a royal purple bag. The story goes that Mr. Bronfman tried 600 different blends before he settled on the one that became Crown Royal.
Placed aboard the Royal Train, Crown Royal was the ideal gift for the Royal Couple, who were respected for their knowledge and love of fine whiskies. Exceptional smoothness comes from longer age and a generous content of batch base whisky.
Dimple
When farmer and distiller Robert Haig was summoned before the church elders in 1655 for operating his still on the Sabbath (Sunday), this marked the earliest documented reference to a distillery company still operating today. The art and craft of whisky distilling was passed down through generations of the Haig family dynasty, and Robert’s descendants went on to operate distilleries in Scotland, England and Ireland. One of them, John Haig, opened a distillery in 1824 at Cameronbridge in the fertile and historical Kingdom of Fife, which lies across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh.
Around 1870, his son John was the first Haig to use the newly developed practice of blending. The deep understanding of the product and their long tradition of whisky making was realised to perfection in the early 1890s with the creation of Dimple. This deluxe blend of exceptional distinction is found in the world’s most exclusive bars and elegant homes and enjoyed by those who appreciate rare quality. Dimple is the perfect international companion when friends meet in smart surroundings. In recognition of the consistent high quality of Dimple, the whisky was awarded a gold medal in 1987 in the Deluxe Blended Whisky Category of the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Dimple is distinguished even further by its famous triangular, dimpled bottle wrapped in wire net.
Glenfiddich
At The Glenfiddich Distillery there is a single-minded dedication to craftsmanship and quality throughout every stage of production, ensuring only the finest single malt Scotch whisky is produced. Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky is created using the finest malted barley and a single source of crystal clear spring water from the Robbie Dhu Springs. It is made in exactly the same way as it was in 1887, when the first spirit ran from the stills at The Glenfiddich Distillery. The distillery still employs the traditional skills of dedicated craftsmen, from the Glenfiddich coppersmith and coopers to the Glenfiddich Malt Master, to ensure the quality of the Glenfiddich range of single malt Scotch whiskies produced today is never compromised.
it is important to choose your malt whiskies carefully to avoid a harsh flavour. The smooth taste of J&B comes from the significant amount of the superior Speyside Malts used in the blend.
Glen Elgin
A ‘First Class’ malt much loved by blenders, Glen Elgin was for years most often tasted in the blended Scotch, White Horse. Today, once again, it is available as a splendid single malt, and as the summer house-martins swoop among the worm tubs at this traditional distillery on the edge of the Royal Burgh of Elgin, little seems to have changed in a hundred years.
As a Speyside malt its style is smooth, mellow and sweetly honeyed. Soft spring water comes from the area of Millbuies Loch to the south-east of the distillery. Close your eyes as you nose a glass and you can almost see bees pollinating flowers, then honey-sweet and malty flavours dominate the palate – even a dash of tangerine fruitiness can be found.
“A superb whisky that deserves to be better known. Ranked as ‘TOP CLASS’ by blenders.”
Charles Maclean, whisky writer and expert.
Glen Ord
The distillery here at Muir of Ord (“the moor by the hill”) has produced a richly more-ish malt whisky since the first year of Queen Victoria’s reign, once memorably described as “perilously drinkable”.
A glass of this smooth, rounded malt immediately reveals its unusual origins. This isn’t a sweet, delicate Speyside, nor is it wreathed in Islay’s smokiness – but there is something of both to be enjoyed here. Like well-known whisky author, Charles Maclean, you’ll probably find The Singleton of Glen Ord sweet-starting and medium-bodied, with traces of ginger and smoke in its dry finish.
“Unusually, this is a distillery that still malts all its own barley – much of that barley is local too. A delightfully balanced, spicy-sweet malt.”
William Bryans, whisky writer and expert.
J&B Rare
J&B was specifically developed in the 1930s to make an excellent whisky for mixing. As more customers want to drink whiskies with a mixer, it is important to stock one that mixes well – and J&B is the world’s most popular blended whisky for mixing.
The aim of J&B’s original Master Blender, Charlie Julian, was to create a perfect balance where no single flavour dominates the overall blend. Today, J&B combines a total of 42 malt and grain whisky varieties – with a high percentage of the blend coming from the best malt whiskies. More malt means more flavour – as having a high malt content means you don’t end up with a bland taste.
However,
Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky and the most adored Scotch whisky brand in New Zealand. The Johnnie Walker trademark is unique in that it offers a full portfolio of whisky across five variants – from the characterful Red Label to the acclaimed masterpiece Black Label, the blended malt Green Label, the luxurious Gold Label and the rare and exclusive Blue Label.
The Master Blenders at Johnnie Walker have the most extensive range of whiskies at their disposal – six million casks or three billion bottles of the finest whiskies in Scotland. From 1879 when Johnnie Walker received its first prize for excellence at the Sydney International Exhibition to the Double Gold Award for Pure Malts in the 2004 World Spirits Competition, Johnnie Walker has received the Gold or Double Gold award in seven out of the eight years since it was first created. No other whisky maker can draw on great distilleries or the depth of experience and skill of Johnnie Walker’s Master Blenders – who have a commitment to produce the world’s most admired whiskies.
Macleay Duff
Only the finest natural products are used in the production process of Macleay Duff – including premium quality malted barley and the purest spring water. After distillation in traditional copper swan-necked stills, the single malt whisky is carefully matured in oak casks. The carefully selective blending then begins, starting with a base of grain whiskies which are then blended with fine malts.
Talisker
Talisker’s soft, peaty process water is drawn from 21 underground springs that rise from Hawk Hill (Cnoc nan Speirag) beside the distillery. These same springs have fed Talisker from its beginnings and as the name suggests, the hill is home to birds of prey, usually including Peregrines.
Today, 20,000 gallons an hour of cooling water from the fast running Carbost Burn fill a traditional Talisker feature – five wooden ‘worm tubs’, located outside the still house.
Talisker’s two wash stills, carefully recreated after the 1960 fire, are unique. The lye pipes leading off from the main neck are U-shaped to trap vapours from the first distillation, before they reach the outside worm tubs, whilst a small secondary copper pipe carries the trapped vapours back to the wash stills for a second distillation.
Faithfully following the original design, it is believed that this double distillation ensures that all of Talisker’s rich, deep character is captured first time. So there is indeed nothing withdrawn or reserved about Talisker – a fact confirmed for visitors whose first experience before they take the distillery tour is a taste of the malt itself.
Ushers
Andrew Usher II, who joined his father’s business in the 1840s, became one of the first major blenders of Scotch whisky. Today, Usher’s Green Stripe still maintains the high quality and esteemed reputation during those times.
Vat 69
William Sanderson, born in Leith in 1840, started an apprenticeship with a wine and spirituous liquors producer at the age of 13. By 1863 he already owned his own business and produced liqueurs and whisky-mixtures. In 1880, his son William Mark joined the business and convinced his father to bottle the different blends. Sanderson already bottled his liqueurs but did not like the idea of bottling whisky – but his son was finally successful in convincing him.
The typical VAT 69 bottle was introduced to the market and not changed for the next hundred years. In 1884 Sanderson bought the Glengarioch Distillery, which was situated in the middle of a barley field, to ensure the delivery with grain-whisky. Sanderson, together with Usher and Bell, then founded a company to produce grain-whisky, which still exists today as the North British Distillery. Sanderson got a few malt whiskies that he needed to blend his VAT 69 from a friend, John Begg, who owned the Royal Lochnagar Distiller. When Begg died, Sanderson became director of Begg’s Distillery and in 1933 merged with Booth’s Distilleries, then the DCL-Group in 1935. In 1980, Vat 69 Reserve from the House of Sanderson had its world-première in England. Today, carefully chosen and optimal stored malt whiskies are used to produce this De-Luxe-Whisky.
William Grants
Grant’s Family Reserve, in its iconic triangular bottle, is the world’s fourth largest Scotch whisky brand and enjoyed in over 180 countries. The home of Grant’s Scotch whisky is the Girvan Distillery on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland, overlooking the Isle of Arran. It is here that Grant’s unique independent family heritage, five generations of craftsmanship and a passion for whisky making are harnessed to produce outstanding Scotch whisky. The Grant’s blend is still based on the original recipe developed by William Grant, whose dream was to distil ‘the best dram in the valley’. Grant’s Master Blender, David Stewart, carefully selects the finest single malt and grain Scotch whiskies (including award-winning malts Glenfiddich and The Balvenie), and skilfully blends them together to give Grant’s Family Reserve its rich, deliciously complex taste and long smooth finish.
Other Brands
Lion Nathan New Zealand markets and distributes Diageo’s six Classic Malts of Scotland, which were launched in 1989 and offer a preeminent malt whisky from each of Scotland’s six major distilling regions:
Cragganmore
Dalwhinnie
Lagavulin
Oban
Glenkinchie
Talisker
We also market and distribute the following whisky brands locally:
Whisky
Whisky can be spelt in two ways – Whisky (without an ‘e’) if the product is from Scotland or Whiskey (with an ‘e’) if the product is from Ireland.
Regardless of origin, the whisky category is the largest spirits category in New Zealand and is made up of several different types of whisky – including scotch, blended, single malts, Irish and Canadian. Lion Nathan New Zealand has a very strong portfolio of whisky brands across all of these groups.
Bells
Every whisky in the blend, both malt and grain, combines to ensure that Bell’s Extra Special remains wonderfully rounded and smooth.
Bushmills
Bushmills is a true Irish whiskey – made at the same place, under the same roof for 400 years. Generations of distillers have truly crafted and nurtured the brand since 1608. Bushmills is smooth because it is triple-distilled with no peat. The malt at the heart of the blend gives richness and a sweet honeyed taste. The Bushmills portfolio also includes Bushmills 10-Year-Old Malt and Bushmills Black Bush.
Caol Ila
When you sip this tempting, easy-drinking malt at first you’d know you were in Islay – but you might not know where. Well-known whisky writer, Michael Jackson, pinpoints the smooth, olive-like house style, calling Caol Ila “a wonderful aperitif.”
Sniff the air over a glass and smoky, sea-fresh aromas recall an age, not so long ago, when fishing and cutting peat were the traditional occupations in these parts. Few men make a living cutting peat on the island today, but the old traditions live on in the skills of our distillery workers and in the ingredients they still use at Caol Ila.
“Caol Ila has remained undiscovered by many. However, its deserving rise in popularity saw the release of three new age statements in June 2002. This malt is a fantastically balanced Islay with wheat beer/cloves and wet grass/light salt fish subtleties.”
David Broom, whisky writer and expert.
Clan MacGregor
Clynelish
When the original distillery was built in 1819 by the future Duke of Sutherland, the quality of Clynelish whisky was so prized that only private customers were supplied.
Over the years, Clynelish has continued to be held in high regard by experts. The great Victorian, Professor George Saintsbury, selected it as a favourite and today’s malt whisky gurus consistently praise its unique combination of North Highland and maritime qualities.
You can almost taste the sea air in Clynelish, with its crisp, medium-bodied, mustard-fresh style. Although there isn’t an Islay’s pungent smokiness here, there is a trace or two of it. Don’t think that this is a heavy malt however – its clean taste makes it a fine aperitif but it can also be enjoyed much later in the evening, such is its versatility.
Crown Royal
Placed aboard the Royal Train, Crown Royal was the ideal gift for the Royal Couple, who were respected for their knowledge and love of fine whiskies. Exceptional smoothness comes from longer age and a generous content of batch base whisky.
Dimple
Around 1870, his son John was the first Haig to use the newly developed practice of blending. The deep understanding of the product and their long tradition of whisky making was realised to perfection in the early 1890s with the creation of Dimple. This deluxe blend of exceptional distinction is found in the world’s most exclusive bars and elegant homes and enjoyed by those who appreciate rare quality. Dimple is the perfect international companion when friends meet in smart surroundings. In recognition of the consistent high quality of Dimple, the whisky was awarded a gold medal in 1987 in the Deluxe Blended Whisky Category of the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Dimple is distinguished even further by its famous triangular, dimpled bottle wrapped in wire net.
Glenfiddich
it is important to choose your malt whiskies carefully to avoid a harsh flavour. The smooth taste of J&B comes from the significant amount of the superior Speyside Malts used in the blend.
Glen Elgin
As a Speyside malt its style is smooth, mellow and sweetly honeyed. Soft spring water comes from the area of Millbuies Loch to the south-east of the distillery. Close your eyes as you nose a glass and you can almost see bees pollinating flowers, then honey-sweet and malty flavours dominate the palate – even a dash of tangerine fruitiness can be found.
“A superb whisky that deserves to be better known. Ranked as ‘TOP CLASS’ by blenders.”
Charles Maclean, whisky writer and expert.
Glen Ord
A glass of this smooth, rounded malt immediately reveals its unusual origins. This isn’t a sweet, delicate Speyside, nor is it wreathed in Islay’s smokiness – but there is something of both to be enjoyed here. Like well-known whisky author, Charles Maclean, you’ll probably find The Singleton of Glen Ord sweet-starting and medium-bodied, with traces of ginger and smoke in its dry finish.
“Unusually, this is a distillery that still malts all its own barley – much of that barley is local too. A delightfully balanced, spicy-sweet malt.”
William Bryans, whisky writer and expert.
J&B Rare
The aim of J&B’s original Master Blender, Charlie Julian, was to create a perfect balance where no single flavour dominates the overall blend. Today, J&B combines a total of 42 malt and grain whisky varieties – with a high percentage of the blend coming from the best malt whiskies. More malt means more flavour – as having a high malt content means you don’t end up with a bland taste.
However,
Johnnie Walker
The Master Blenders at Johnnie Walker have the most extensive range of whiskies at their disposal – six million casks or three billion bottles of the finest whiskies in Scotland. From 1879 when Johnnie Walker received its first prize for excellence at the Sydney International Exhibition to the Double Gold Award for Pure Malts in the 2004 World Spirits Competition, Johnnie Walker has received the Gold or Double Gold award in seven out of the eight years since it was first created. No other whisky maker can draw on great distilleries or the depth of experience and skill of Johnnie Walker’s Master Blenders – who have a commitment to produce the world’s most admired whiskies.
Macleay Duff
Talisker
Talisker’s soft, peaty process water is drawn from 21 underground springs that rise from Hawk Hill (Cnoc nan Speirag) beside the distillery. These same springs have fed Talisker from its beginnings and as the name suggests, the hill is home to birds of prey, usually including Peregrines.
Today, 20,000 gallons an hour of cooling water from the fast running Carbost Burn fill a traditional Talisker feature – five wooden ‘worm tubs’, located outside the still house.
Talisker’s two wash stills, carefully recreated after the 1960 fire, are unique. The lye pipes leading off from the main neck are U-shaped to trap vapours from the first distillation, before they reach the outside worm tubs, whilst a small secondary copper pipe carries the trapped vapours back to the wash stills for a second distillation.
Faithfully following the original design, it is believed that this double distillation ensures that all of Talisker’s rich, deep character is captured first time. So there is indeed nothing withdrawn or reserved about Talisker – a fact confirmed for visitors whose first experience before they take the distillery tour is a taste of the malt itself.
Ushers
Vat 69
The typical VAT 69 bottle was introduced to the market and not changed for the next hundred years. In 1884 Sanderson bought the Glengarioch Distillery, which was situated in the middle of a barley field, to ensure the delivery with grain-whisky. Sanderson, together with Usher and Bell, then founded a company to produce grain-whisky, which still exists today as the North British Distillery. Sanderson got a few malt whiskies that he needed to blend his VAT 69 from a friend, John Begg, who owned the Royal Lochnagar Distiller. When Begg died, Sanderson became director of Begg’s Distillery and in 1933 merged with Booth’s Distilleries, then the DCL-Group in 1935. In 1980, Vat 69 Reserve from the House of Sanderson had its world-première in England. Today, carefully chosen and optimal stored malt whiskies are used to produce this De-Luxe-Whisky.
William Grants
Other Brands
Lion Nathan New Zealand markets and distributes Diageo’s six Classic Malts of Scotland, which were launched in 1989 and offer a preeminent malt whisky from each of Scotland’s six major distilling regions:
We also market and distribute the following whisky brands locally:
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